Toy piano.



'No. 658,284. Patented Sept. I8, I900.

- A. scnoamwr.

TUY PIANO.

(Application filed Aug. 11, 1899.)

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

ALBERT SCHOENHUT, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TOY PIANO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 658,284, dated September 18, 1900.

Application filed August 11,1899. Serial No. 726,905. tNo model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

lie it known that I, ALBERT SOHOENHUT, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Toy Pianos, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists of certain improvements in the construction of the keys, hammers, and key-separating devices for a toy piano.

The object of my invention is to simplify and improve these parts without adding to the expense of the same. This object- I attain in the manner hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fign re 1 is a transverse section of sufficient of a toy piano to illustrate my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line a a, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of one of the keys. Fig. t is a perspective view of one of the hammers, and Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a portion of the separating-bar.

In Fig. 1 part of the casing of the piano is represented at l, the bottom of this casing having the longitudinal bar 2, Whose upper edge is adapted to vertical slots 3 in the lower portions of the keys 4, the latter being mounted side by side on said bar.2, as usual.

In order to separate adjoining keys, so as to prevent adjoining keys from coming into contact, and thereby interfering with the proper-and easy manipulation, Iemploy a longitudinal bar 5, located above the row of keys and extending from end to end of the row, this bar having a series of depending fingers 6, which project down between adjoining keys of the row and serve to effect the proper separation of the same. In the present instance the bar 5 is in the form of a hollow channel or U-bar, as it can thus be made of light sheet metal and yet will possess the necessary strength and rigidity, and the fingers 6 consist of portions of the web of this bar cut and drawn down, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, an operation which can be readily performed and which renders unnecessary any means for securing the fingers to the bar.

The metallic tone-plates 7 common to toy pianos are supported upon the usual bar 8, and beneath the latter is a bar 9, on which are secured, by means of suitable fastenings, the

stems or shanks 10 of the hammers 11. Each of these hammer-stems consists, preferably, of a strip of pasteboard covered on both sides with muslin or other thin textile material which projects beyond the pasteboard strip at both ends, the inner projecting portion being secured to the bar 9 and serving as a hinge for the hammer, while the outer projecting portion is bent under the end of the hammerstem and is thus interposed between said stem and the top of the key, so as to act as a cushion for the hammer. The hammer-block 11 is simply glued or otherwise secured upon the top of the outer or free end of the hammer-stem, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

In order to provide for compact disposal of parts and yet permit of the desired extended swing of the hammer, a recess 12 is formed in the top of each key for the reception of the free free end ofthe hammer-stem. Hence Whenthe forward end of the key is depressed an upwardly-projecting portion 13 of the key in the rearof the recess 12strikes thehammerstem or shank at a point behind the head 11, whereby the desired upward movement of the hammer is effected with but a very light touch upon the forward portion of the key.

For the purpose of securing the flexible tongue at the rear end of the hammer-stem to the bar 9 I prefer to use a double-pointed tack 14:, since this not only serves to secure said flexible tongue to the bar 9, but it also prevents any lateral twisting or displacement of the hammer-shank, and thus insures the maintenance of the hammers in proper position one in respect to the other.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The combination of the keys of a toy piano, with a bar extending along the row of keys, and having fingers projecting between adjoining keys, substantially as specified.

2. The combination of the keys of a toy piano, with a bar extending along the row of keys, and having fingers struck up therefrom and projecting between adjoining keys, substantially as specified.

3. The combination of the keys of a toy piano, with a bar extending along the row of keys, and consisting of a web with upturned flanges, said web having fingers struck up therefrom and projecting between adjoining keys, substantially as specified.

4. The Within-described hammer for a toy piano, said hammer having a stem composed of a strip of pasteboard, With textile material secured thereto, said textile material projecting beyond the inner end of the stem so as to form a flexible hinge therefor, and being folded under the outer or free end of the stem so as to provide a cushion for the same, and a hammer-head secured to the outer end of the stem, substantially as specified.

5. The combination in a toy piano, of a series of keys, a pivot for said keys, means for separating the keys, the top of each key be- Witnesses:

VILL. A. BARR, J os. H. KLEIN. 

